Wall radiator enclosure



Filed Aug. 7, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a/@ orngys Jan. 13, 1942. E. G.POWELL WALL RADIATOR ENCLOSURE Filed Aug. '7, 1940 2 Sheets-Shes?l 2Patented Jan. 13, 1942 uNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICEl WALL RADIATORENoLosURE Ellis G. Powell, Michigan City, rnd., assignor to C. A. DunhamCompany, Marshalltown, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Application August'1, 1940, Serial No. 351.686

9 Claims. (01.237-79) This invention is directed to new and usefulimprovements in wall radiator enclosure of the type that is usuallyinstalled in a building during its construction.

This type of enclosure comprises generally a casing surrounding theradiating means open at its bottom and top to permit circulation of airtherethrough by convection and a damper means positioned above theradiating means to control the volume of heated air passing through thecasing.

In modern `building construction steel window frame and sash is commonlyused to increase the reproong of the building and inasmuch as theradiating means is generally positioned adjacent a window the enclosuremust be constructed to lit and be secured to such steel construction.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide such a metalradiator enclosure that is simply designed so as to be readilyvassembled with and secured to the modern type of metal window sashconstruction.

A further object is to provide such an enclosure that is easily openedfor cleaning purposes without injury to the interior finish of the spacein which it is located.

Still another object is to provide a novel locking means for assemblingand holding the enclosure in assembled position.

Another object of this invention is to provide such an enclosure that isnot secured to or positioned against the radiating means so that themovement of the heat transferring means due to variation in temperaturecannot affect the enclosing structure.

Still a further object is to provide an enclosure of the type describedhaving novel reinforcing means, and shaped to facilitate the applicationof plaster to the adjacent walls, the installation of base boards andthe positioning of insulation between the back of the enclosure and thewall of the space in which positioned.

Still another object is to provide a novel enclosure construction inwhich the back of the structure has supporting means for the frontportion of the enclosure whereby the front may be easily and accuratelypivoted into closed or assembled position.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from a study of thefollowing detailed description.

In the'drawings:

Fig. l is a front view partly in section and partly in elevation of anenclosure constructed in accordance with this invention.

` ment.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 ofFig. 1. Y

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of the securing meansshown in theuppermost part of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 2 of a slightlydilerent form of enclosure embodying this invention.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line E-Sof Fig. 5.

In detail the enclosure comprises a. back plate I, a front assembly 2and a damper assembly 3. The upper edge of back plate I is bent tohorizontal position to form a flange 6 extending from the plate I in adirection away from the wall 5 adjacent which the enclosure is to bepositioned. This ange d is provided with downwardly projecting pins 6which are adapted to t into holes l that are drilled in the underlip 3of the window sill Q.

The lower edge ofplate I is provided with a lip I0 extendinghorizontally toward the wall 5 to add to the stiffness of the back plateI. The lower portion of plate I is further strengthened horizontally bymeans of angle member II welded to the back plate from side to side. Theback plate I is reinforced vertically by channel members I2 positionedon the wall side of the plate,

A. back sheet support plate I3 is the means of anchoring the lower partof the plate I. Plate I3 is provided with vertical slots It forreceiving lock bolts I5 which extend through; the lower side of plate Iare welded thereto and are secured to plate I3 by means of nuts I6. Theslots provide adjustment to compensate for the variations resulting fromthe usual tolerances in measure- Support plate I3 extends downwardlyterminating in a lip I'I provided with holes for wood screws I8 whichsecure the plate to the wood screed `I9.

As best shown in Fig. 3 the vertical edges of plate I are formed atright angles to the back and extend away from wall 5 to form lips 20.These lips are each provided with an inwardly extending pin 2l forpurposes hereinafter described. Adjacent the bottom of each of the lips20 are outwardly extending pins 22.

In order to provide horizontal reinforcing for the top portion of plateI an angle member 23 extends across the plate and is secured thereto bymeans of bolts 24 welded to plate I and extending through slots 25 inangle 23 and nuts 26. The slots provide for vertical adjustment of anglemember 23 which is clamped in position to form a recess or groove 21between the lower surface of underlip B and the upper surface of anglemember 23.

It is clear that the above back construction permits it to be installedas the trim is prepared for plastering, Later the radiating means may bepositioned relative thereto and the front of the enclosure assembled onthe back as will be hereinafter described. This construction provides aplaster stop so the plaster may be easily brought flush against thesides with the excess iiowing around the edges to present a neat nishedappearance.

lf it is desired to position insulation between the back plate and thewall this may be readily done by positioning the insulating materialbetween the channel members I2. However, without insulating materialpositioned there the air space between the wall and the back plate willprovide a certain insulating eiectf' Furthermore a back plate soconstructed may be installed as the building is being constructed andwill in no way interfere with the subsequent installation of the mop orbase board here shown as 28.

The front assembly 2 comprises a front plate 29 the vertical edges ofwhich are formed at right angles relative thereto forming lips 3U whichabut the edges of side pieces 3| which are welded thereto, which jointis reinforced by batten strip 32. This combination provides verticalbracing. Horizontal bracing is provided by channel member 33 positionedcentrally across iront plate 29. The lower edge of frontplate 29 isstrengthened horizontally by being folded back on itself as shown at 34.

The upper portion oi plate 29 is bent backu'ardly at about a 30 angle inwhich portion is formed a slanting punched grille 35. The upper edge isbent to form a rearwardly extending horizontal lip 36.

The bottom edges of side pieces 3| have slots 31 near the rear edges ofthe pieces and substantially centered in the lower edges of said pieces3| are arch-shaped openings 38. A novel, eccentric positioning andlocking mechanism is secured to each of the side pieces 3| adjacent thegrille 35 and comprises a hook member 39 collared about a cam or disk 40eccentrically positioned relative to concentric cylindrical projectionsor pins 4I and 42 and forming a part thereof. The larger projection 4Iis provided with an hexagonal recess 43 and is journaled in an openingin side piece 3|. The other projection is journaled in an opening in astirrup piece 44 shown partially broken away which is secured to theside piece 3|. A pin 45 projects inwardly from the inner surface of eachside piece 3| adjacent the hook member 39 to provide a stop for member39.

The damper assembly 3 comprises a rectangular valve member 46 ofsubstantially the same length and width as the inside of the enclosure,pivotally positioned across the center of the enclosure by means ofshafts 41 and 48 which are flattened at their inner ends and secured tothe valve member 46 by means of rivets 49. Surrounding shaft 41 betweenthe valve member and side piece 3| is a compression spring 50 whichnormally forces the valve towards the opposite end of the enclosure. Onthe outer end of shaft 41 which extends through side piece 3| is secureda handle 5I. Shaft 48 is journaled in a stirrup shaped fastening member52 which is secured to side piece 3|. This fastening memaeeasai ber isprovided with openings 53 adapted to rereive the rounded end portion offinger 54 for holding the valve in various positions.

This enclosure is adapted to enclose any type of heat radiating meanswhich, as illustrated. comprises a hot fluid conducting pipe 55 havingheat radiating hns 55. The radiating means has inlet and outletconnections 51 and 58 respectively (the illustration is for use with adownfeed steam line) which extend into the enclosure through arch shapedopenings 3B without in any way being secured to or resting upon any partof the enclosure assembly.

The above described form of radiator enclosure is assembled as is nowdescribed.

As soon as the steel window sash is installed in the building this canbe done. The appropriate holes 1 must be drilled in the underlip 8 andthen the back plate I may be hung thereon with pins 6 positioned inholes 1. The back sheet support plate I3 is then adjusted on bolts I5and secured at proper position to bring lip I1 flush with upper surfaceof wood screed I9 to which it is then secured by means of screws I8.Angle 23 is secured to plate I by means of bolts 24 after being properlyadjusted so as to provide a recess or seat 21 of correct size forreceiving lip 35. At this point the plastering may be done andthereafter the radiating means may be installed in proper relation tothe back plate.

To complete the enclosure the front assembly 2 is then positionedrelative to the back with side pieces 3| outside of lips 20 and slots 31engaging pins 22. The front assembly is then pivoted on pins 22 towardthe wall 5 until lip 35 is positioned in recess 21 and against back I,as clearly shown in Fig. 4. Thus the pins 22 provide support and guidemeans.

At this point the locking means is brought into operation. An hexagonaltool is positioned in hexagonal recess 43 and turned. 'Ihe turning ofthe eccentric or cam will cause the outer end of the hook member 39 tofirst be lifted, then be moved toward the wall, then lowered to engagepin 2I and then tend to move away from the wall to draw the frontassembly firmly against the back plate. A spring washer 59, or any othersuitable means may be used for causing sufficient friction to hold thehook in any desired position. Pin 45 is so positioned to prevent hookmember 39 from falling below operating position for pin 2|.

The valve 4E of the damper assembly is operated by means of handle 5I.In order to position it any desired position the handle is rotated asdesired to cause the round ended finger 54 to be disengaged from any ofthe holes 53 by moving against spring 5B. Handle 5| is released at thedesired position and the spring 50 will hold it there. 'Ihe channelmember 33 provides a stop for the valve in closed position and a damperstop for open position is provided by angie member 60.

To open the enclosure for cleaning it is only necessary to reverse theoperation of the locking mechanism which action will move hook membersout of engagement with pins 2l and will permit the front assembly to bepivoted away from back plate I and then lifted from pins 22.

Another embodiment of this invention is shown in Figs. 5 and 6, in whichthe general construction, the damper assembly, the locking means aremuch the same as above described. Parts which are of the sameconstruction as such a case the back plate 63 must be formed with anupper edge bent downwardly at substantially the same angle as theupturned lip B2, to form a downturned lip 84. A reinforcing angle member65 provided with vertical slots 66 and of the same contour as the upperedge of plate 63 is clamped to plate 63 by means of bolts 61 to firmlyclamp the back to the window sash. A right angle reinforcing member 68likewise provided with vertical slots 69 to permit adjustment, is alsosecuredv to back plate 63 by the same bolts 61 with its horizontalportion i0 spaced below the lower surface of the horizontal portion ofunderlip 6l to provide a recess orY groove for horizontal lip 36 of thefront assembly.

The lower portion of the back plate 63 is formed to provide a parallelbut inwardly spaced fastening edge ll for securing the plate directly tothe wall by means of screws 12. Horizontal reinforcing for the bottom ofthe back plate is provided by a channel member 13 which also acts as astop for the construction of the cement or plaster baseboard 73a andvertical reinforcement is provided by channel members 1d.

The damper assembly is fundamentally the same as hereinabove discussedthe only difference being in the stop means in which a plurality ofdepressions l5 are used in place of holes 53. It is clear that any stopmeans may be used such as for example a resiliently held ball carried bythe movable valve to cooperate with the depressions.

Likewise the eccentric locking mechanism may be constructed to beoperable by any well known means such for example by replacing thehexagonal recess with a slot so that it may be operated by a screwdriver.

In order to present a neater appearance it may be desirable to indent apart of the side of the enclosure at the operating end of the damperassembly so that the operating handle may be ush with the side or a knobmay be substituted for the handle. All of such details are well known inthe art and form no part of this invention.

The advantage of providing a slanting grille 35 is that no object can beplaced thereon to interfere with proper heat circulation.

The back construction shown in Fig. 5 is particularly adapted forbuildings in which cement or plaster baseboards are to be used for thechannel member 13 provides a stop which enables the workman to rapidlyand neatly construct such a baseboard.

We claim:

1. In combination with a window sill, a radiator enclosure comprising a-front member and back member removably associated, said front membercomprising a front plate provided with a grille at its upper portion, alip at its upper edge for association with the sill in assembledposition, and side pieces provided With openings extending to the loweredges for accommodating radiating means, said back member comprising aback plate, a top flange for anchoring to the window sill, horizontalreinforcing means adjacent the top flange forming a seat for the lip ofthe front member, pins on one of said members, s-lots on said othermember for cooperatingfwith the pins whereby one member pivotallysupports the other, and locking means carried by said members wherebysaid members are releasably held in assembledl relation.

2. A wall radiator enclosure comprising a back plate provided with a lipat its upper edge anchoring the top of said back portion. means securingthe lower portion of the back in substantially vertical alignment withthe upper portion, a horizontal reinforcing member on the upper part ofthe back having a horizontal siuface, lips extending from the sides ofthe back and at right angles thereto, a horizontally extending pin oneach of said lips adjacent the lower portion thereof, a front assemblycomprising a front plate, a slanting grille, side pieces and ahorizontally extending top lip, a slot in the lower portion of each sidepiece engaging the said pins whereby the front assembly is pivoted intoassembled postion with the back plate, said horizontal lip litting uponthe horizontal surface of the reinforcing member, means positioned onsaid front assembly and means on said back plate adapted to cooperate tolock said parts in assembled position.

3. In combination with a metal window sas-h positioned in a room to beheated and provided with an underlip, a radiator enclosure comprising aback plate having a top lip engaging with the underlip of said windowsash to support the back plate, means anchoring thelower end of the backplate to an adjacent portion of the room, an angle reinforcing membersecured to the back plate adjacent the top and spaced from the underlipof the sash to provide a groove, a front assembly means having a top lipengaging said groove, pivotal means removably joining said back plateand front assembly together, and locking means on said plate and frontassembly adapted to cooperate to hold the enclosure in assembledposition.

4. In combination with a window sash having an underlip provided withholes, a radiator enclosure comprising a back means and a front means, alip along the upper edge of said back means, pins in said lip extendingdownwardly and into the holes in said sash underlip, an angle membersecured to 'said back means and presenting a horizontal surface spacedfrom4 said underlip to form a groove, a horizontal lip on the upper partof said front means positioned Within said groove and against said backmeans, means pivotally and removably joining said front means to saidback means adjacent the lower parts thereof and locking means carried byone of said means holding the horizontal lip in the groove.

5. In combination with a metal window sill, a radiator enclosurecomprising a back member and a front member removably associatedtherewith, said back member comprising a back plate having a ange alongits upper edge overlying a part of the sill, an angle member secured tothe back plate and bearing against the undersurface of part of the sillto clamp the back thereto, a second angle member secured to the backplate adjacent the top and forming a horizontal seat, said front membercomprising a front plate having a top lip positioned on said seat andmeans at the bottom of the enclosure pivotally and removably joining themembers together.

6. In combination with a metal Window sill positioned in a building, aradiator enclosure comprising a back member anchored to the silladjacent the wall and a removable front member, said back membercomprising a back plate provided with a flange at its upper edgeanchored to a portion of the sill, means anchoring the bottom of theplate in substantially vertical position to an adjacent part of thebuilding, lips extending from the sides of the plate to provide plasterstops, a vertically adjustable angle member adjacent the top andproviding a horizontal seat, said front member comprising a front plateprovided with a lip at its upper edge resting upon said seat, a grilleportion near the top, side pieces and means near the bottom of theenclosure pivotally supporting the front member on the back member andlocking means carried by said front member holding said parts inassembled position but permitting the removal of said front member fromthe back member.

7. In combination with a metal window sill in a wall, a radiatorenclosure comprising a back member comprising an outwardly extendingflange at its upper edge said flange overlying a part of said sill andsecured thereto, an inwardly extending flange at its lower edge securedto the wall to space the member therefrom, an outwardly extending seatmeans adjustably secured to the back at its upper end, a front membercomprising a front plate, sides, a grille portion near the top and a lipmeans at its upper edge resting on said seat means and guide meansjoining said front and back members together adjacent the bottom of theenclosure.

8. In combination with a metal window sill positioned in a room, aradiator enclosure comprising a back member comprising an outwardlyextending ange at its upper edge said ange overlying a part of said silland secured thereto, a vertically adjustable anchoring means secured tothe back member at its lower edge and anchoring said back in verticalposition to an adjacent part of the room, an outwardly extending seatmeans adjustably secured to the back at its upper end, a front membercomprising a front plate, sides, a grille portion and a lip means at itsupper edge resting on said seat and guide means removably joining saidmembers together adjacent the bottom to correctly position them forassembly.

9. In combination with a metal window sill positioned in a wall of aroom, a radiator enclosure comprising an anchored back member and aremovable front member, said back member comprising a back plate, aflange at the upper edge of said plate anchored to said sill, lips alongthe sides edges of the plates forming plaster stops, verticalreinforcing channel members spaced on the wall side of the back, meanssecuring the lower end of the plate to an adjacent portion of the roomin substantial vertical alignment with the top, a horizontal reinforcingangle member adjacent the top and providing a seat spaced from the sillportion to which the plate is anchored, said front member having a lipat its upper edge, and means on the lower part of the l lips oi' saidback member for receiving and supporting the front member with saidfront member lip positioned on said seat.

ELLIS G. POWELL.

